The safety and quality of health care
Want to check to make sure you're getting safe, high-quality health care? Here are some tips to consider.
Your safety
When you're going to a doctor or hospital for treatment, make sure you understand:
- What your diagnosis is
- Why you need treatment at this time
- What your treatment options are
- Whether the treatment options are based on the latest scientific evidence
- The benefits of each treatment
- The cost of each treatment
Safety & quality resources
For a closer look at how to be a smarter health care shopper and consumer, you can:
- Read the Guide to Health Care Quality: How To Know It When You See It, on the website of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the US Department of Health and Human Services
- See our list of health care safety and quality organizations
Doctor quality
When choosing a doctor, check for doctors who:
- Are rated to give quality care (Learn about Priority Health's "apple" ratings for primary care quality.)
- Are rated highly by patients through HealthGrades® reviews
- Have the training and background that meet your needs
- Take steps to prevent illness - for example, talk to you about quitting smoking
- Have privileges at the hospital of your choice
- Are part of your health plan, unless you can afford to pay extra
- Encourage you to ask questions
- Listen to you
- Treat you with respect
Hospital safety & quality
Before you go to a hospital, check to see that it's:
- Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
- Rated highly by consumer or other groups
- Where your doctor has privileges, if that is important to you
- In your health plan network
- Has experience with your condition
- Successful treating your condition